Background to pharmacist vaccination

In 2011 a number of pharmacists applied to become authorised vaccinators. As a result, the Ministry reviewed existing standards and processes to see if they needed to be changed for pharmacists.

After consulting with stakeholders, the Ministry decided that changes to existing standards and processes were unnecessary. Trained pharmacists would be able to vaccinate against influenza. However, they would only be able to provide privately purchased influenza vaccines. This was consistent with the Medicine Regulations and the guidelines in the Immunisation Handbook 2011. The current regulations and standards for pharmacist vaccinators are set out in Appendices Three and Four of the current online version of the Immunisation Handbook.